A gold coin dating back nearly 500 years to Tudor England is expected to sell for a five-figure sum at auction after being found by a metal detectorist.
Set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ Historica Coins, Banknotes and Artefacts Auction on October 26-27 is a Queen Mary half-angel from 1553-1554 – which makes it 467 years old.
Hansons’ coin valuer William Hayward said: “It’s an incredible find. It dates back to the time of the Tudor monarchs who ruled England during the 16th century. Consequently, it’s extremely rare and good quality for its age. It was discovered on farmland in Leicestershire by a metal detectorist. It has an estimate of £12,000 to £15,000. The last one that I know of sold for £14,000.
“The coin was minted during the reign of Queen Mary who came to the throne in 1553. She brought English coins back to the sterling standard and struck all her gold coins at the more traditional fineness of 0.995 rather than some of the debased coins made during the reign of her half-brother Edward VI and her father Henry VIII.
Mary I (1516-1558), also known as Mary Tudor, was Queen from July 1553 until her death. She was the only child of Henry VIII by his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, to survive to adulthood.
The coin is due to be sold in Hansons’ October 26-27 Historica, Coins, Banknotes and Artefacts Auction. Entries are invited until October 10. To arrange a free valuation, email [email protected].
William will be available for free valuations at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, DE65 6LS, on Wednesdays from September, 10am-4pm. No appointment necessary. Covid-19 regulations strictly adhered to.
